Volunteers dig in to build a sensory trail
Volunteer workers from a housebuilder helped to transform a local riding centre’s empty field into a sensory trail for the community.
Ten members of the technical team at Barratt Developments North East volunteered a day of their time to help Washington Riding Centre.
Employees helped clear weeds, prepared garden beds andplanters,andplantedflowersandshrubstotransforman empty field into a wheelchair accessible trail for riders and walkers alike.
The firm’s ‘Donate A Day’ programme allows all employees to pledge a fully-paid day volunteering to a local cause each year and the riding centre was chosen after employee KarenVellemanheardaboutits mission to provide a safe and equal environment for nondisabled and disabled people together.
The centre provides riding lessons to around 130 children and adults with a range of special educational needs each month, and the sensory trail will serve to stimulate the sensesandimprovetheirexperience with features that visitors can see, touch, smell and hear.
Paula Archer, Chair of Washington Riding Centre said:“We’reverygratefultothe volunteers at Barratt Developments for helping us with the progress of the sensory trail. It will make a big impact to the individualsweprovidelessons to.”
StephenWooldridge,TechnicalDirectoratBarrattDevelopments North East, added: “The Washington Riding Centre does a great deal of work to support local people with disabilities and special education needs. We hope the trail will improve the experiences of visitors and it continues to provide a safe and positive environment.”